I propose to take Questions Nos. 342 and 344 together.
All citizens are entitled to reasonable access to basic telephone services at fixed locations in accordance with the universal service provisions contained in the European Communities (Electronic Communications Networks and Services) (Universal Service and User’s Rights) Regulations 2011 (S.I. 337/2011). It is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), the independent market regulator, to regulate the performance of the universal service obligation. ComReg has designated Eircom as the universal service provider (USP) for a period of two years up to 30 June 2014. Under this obligation Eircom is required to meet binding performance targets regarding the provision of connections to a public telecommunications network, the fault rate occurrence in the provision of associated communications services and fault repair times when faults do occur. Any failure by Eircom to meet these targets is a matter for ComReg; I have no statutory role in this process. I have therefore copied the Deputies complaints to ComReg for further investigation.
